YouSaid · the spoken record

GAMBARI

lines on the record: 1,141
first: 1992-07-15
most recent: 2012-07-24
sittings or episodes: 98
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Permit me at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. Although Nigeria left the Security Council as a non- permanent member more than two years ago, my delegation recalls the occasions when you presided over the Council during our tenure; therefore, we are confident that under your able leadership, the deliberations of the Council will be conducted with skill and wisdom and in a manner that will ensure justice and enhance the principles and purposes of the Charter.”
1998-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3902 (1998) · source
“2] Together, by mustering the political will to act on this report and its recommendations, we can all leave a positive legacy of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa. In this regard, we need a United Nations-led international economic and financial plan for Africa, as we once had a Marshall Plan for the recovery of Europe in the post-war era. In closing, I wish to cite the wise words of a former Secretary-General of this Organization, the late Dag Hammarskjold, who warned that no one can expect to keep his garden tidy by reserving a portion of it for weeds. The international community and economic system cannot long endure and function as a system if the African component is allowed to remain in a permanent state of economic depression, pervasive poverty and social decay.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The Secretary- General's report clearly articulates the need for the United Nations to put in place peace-building initiatives in order to achieve sustainable peace, and we support this imperative. Finally, the Secretary-General's report is, in our View, bold in concept, but his recommendations are also practical and, therefore, achievable - provided that all actors both inside and outside of Africa honestly and consistently commit themselves to the aims and objectives of the report. Our Secretary-General is right in pointing out that "conflict in Africa has been seen as inevitable or intractable it is neither. Conflict in Africa, as everywhere, is caused by human action and can be ended by human action." [S/PV.387I, p.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“In this regard, these institutions should develop what we call domestic "peace- friendly" structural adjustment programmes which do not undermine the ability of African Governments to fulfil their basic responsibilities in such basic and critical areas as the education, health and welfare of their peoples. Moreover, even when a violent conflict has been resolved, we all know that real peace still has to be established in the form of post-conflict peace-building. This essentially has to do with the provision of security and basic social facilities to ordinary people. This is also the key to preventing the recurrence of armed confrontation and avoiding a vicious cycle of violence.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“This important initiative deserves the support of the international community. The ECOWAS group would further wish to appeal to the international community to support Africa's regional and subregional initiatives such as the ECOMOG mechanism and the OAU trust fund for conflict prevention and peacekeeping. In doing so the international community will rightly be complementing African efforts to resolve African problems, as regional and subregional organizations are perhaps more familiar with the complexities of local situations. We believe that the Bretton Woods institutions have a key role to play in the promotion, as well as in the consolidation, of peace in Africa.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“In order to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts and to maintain peace in the subregion, the Ministers agreed to abide by the provisions of the Protocol on Non-Aggression and the Protocol on Mutual Assistance in Defence and to draw on the experiences acquired in the field, notably by ECOMOG, in the preparation of a mechanism for peacekeeping. At this juncture, the ECOWAS group wishes to draw the Council's attention to the Malian initiative on a moratorium in the production, illegal transfer and trafficking in small arms in zones of conflict, an issue discussed in the Secretary-General's report. This initiative was recently endorsed by all ECOWAS member States within the framework of ongoing discussions for the establishment of a mechanism for the prevention, management and settlement of conflicts in our subregion.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“With this record of achievement, ECOWAS has an effective mechanism for peace and conflict resolution which has proven itself. That is probably why at the meeting of the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs of ECOWAS member States last March, experts from member States were directed to work with the ECOWAS Executive Secretariat to elaborate a mechanism for conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution, as well as for peacekeeping, in pursuance of the decisions of the fourth extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lome, Togo, in December of last year.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“This is manifested through the creation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in August 1990, which has succeeded in containing the Liberian civil war and restoring peace to that country so that, in July 1997, it was possible to have the election of Charles Taylor as President of Liberia. The same ECOMOG was a crucial instrument in the efforts which led to the restoration of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah as President of Sierra Leone following the routing of the military junta that had earlier taken power in Sierra Leone, in May 1997. This is the first time in the recent history of Africa that a democratically elected regime, overthrown in a military coup, was restored to power as a result of collective action in a subregion. This is a rare achievement for which we in the subregion are proud.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“However, the much-needed flows of investment capital will also depend on the effectiveness of measures taken by the international community to alleviate the external debt burden of heavily indebted countries - to which I referred earlier - which in sub-Saharan Africa consists mainly of public and public- guaranteed long-term debt. A satisfactory resolution of the external debt burden is necessary if Africa is to be successfully integrated into the world economy. In addition, debt relief would also free resources needed for government investment in physical and social infrastructures. On the maintenance of regional peace and security, the ECOWAS group is unanimous in its commitment to the collective security of the entire subregion.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Unfortunately, sub-Saharan African countries have not been part of this trend, in spite of the fact that countries of the region undertook many efforts to attract foreign direct investment, for example, by liberalizing their markets and increasing investor confidence through the conclusion of bilateral investment promotion and protection agreements and avoidance of double-taxation situations. ECOWAS countries strongly believe that Africa is a continent in which profitable investment opportunities abound and that corporate and individual investors should consider African countries as places to invest as we enter the third millennium.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The ECOWAS group believes that the sustenance of the recent economic upturn in sub-Saharan Africa depends on a number of factors, in particular on how successfully gains from increased export earnings are applied to strengthen potential growth. A programme of sustained economic growth should aim at significant investment in infrastructure which, in many cases, is run down after years of neglect. There is therefore the pressing need for foreign direct investment in our economies which could enhance the process of diversification beyond traditional exports, which is essential for sustained growth. Since the late 19805, foreign direct investment has become an important new and vital instrument for the integration of countries into the global economy.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“A major factor was growth in exports, which, according to the Economic Commission for Africa, went from minus 4.2 per cent in 1993 to 3.3 per cent in 1994 and 16.2 per cent 1995. There is therefore the urgent need for additional and more positive action on the debt burden of African States by the international community to promote and reinforce these gains from economic reforms. The recent Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Debt Initiative is, no doubt, a welcome step, even though its results so far have not been encouraging. It should be expanded to include other highly indebted countries in the continent, as only four countries now qualify for this Initiative.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The debt burden became unsustainable, with Africa's external debt estimated at a total of $328.9 billion in 1995. However, beginning in 1994, three successive years of improved economic performance have provided grounds for cautious optimism. For the first time since the beginning of the 1980s, gross domestic product growth rates stood at slightly over 4 per cent, thereby exceeding population growth, although by a fairly small margin. This recent upturn in sub-Saharan Africa, as was highlighted in the Secretary-General's report, was underpinned by the continued and rigorous implementation of economic reform programmes, as well as by reductions in socio-economic and political instability.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Some are internal and some external. In addition to its heavy external debt overhang, youth unemployment and poor and often inadequate infrastructure, Africa is threatened by serious social instability and conflicts resulting in great loss of life and alarming numbers of refugees and displaced persons, the most vulnerable of whom are women and children. This aspect of the situation is fully highlighted in the report before us today, and its dire consequences have continued to compromise Africa's efforts to ensure long-term stability, prosperity and peace for its peoples. At the beginning of the 19803, sub-Saharan Africa entered a period of serious economic decline, during which real income per capita fell. This continued until 1993. Investment and saving rates likewise declined during this period.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The Secretary-General has now placed before our Organization a report which could indeed point the way in helping us all to address the terrible problem of violent conflicts in Africa. It merits serious and careful consideration. However, there is no real shortage of insightful analyses of the African condition including, in particular, this report by the Secretary-General. But there has unfortunately been a shortage of concrete actions to ameliorate the socio- economic situation and establish a regime of sustainable development in our continent. As the Secretary-General himself points out, "it is in deeds rather than in declarations that the international community's commitment to Africa will be measured". [S/1998/318, para. 106] The key causes of conflict in Africa, as listed in the Secretary-General's report, are varied and complex.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The initiative on the part of the members of the Council to focus attention on the need for a renewed and concerted international effort to promote peace and stability in Africa is clearly unprecedented and deserves our commendation. At a time when several African countries are making considerable economic and social progress, what is required from the international community is encouragement and support in order to sustain the positive tendencies while minimizing or eliminating the incidence of violent conflicts there. Africa has the largest number of member countries at the United Nations, but it is also the continent with the largest number of intra-State conflicts on the agenda of the Security Council.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“It is my honour and privilege to make the following statement on behalf of the member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Please allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. Having known you over the years, and in View of your country's particular interest in, and concrete contributions regarding the objectives of, today's agenda item, I am confident that you will successfully conduct this and subsequent deliberations of the Council in a manner that will enhance the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter. Permit me also to express the appreciation of the ECOWAS Group of Ambassadors at the United Nations for the convening of this important and very timely meeting of the Security Council.”
1998-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3875Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Finally, my delegation wishes to remind members of the Security Council of their very heavy responsibility when they act on behalf of all the 185 members of this United Nations. It is only right and just that every decision taken by this Council in these times should be able to withstand the careful scrutiny of all Member States, on whose behalf the Council is acting. Otherwise, the very legitimacy of Council decisions would be seriously undermined. The ripples of any hasty decisions by the Council forced on it by a determined minority, however powerful, would have far-reaching implications which could damage the credibility and image of our Organization, with dire consequences for international peace and security.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“In conclusion, my delegation believes that since the International Court of Justice has confirmed its competence to deal with this case, it should be allowed to do so without further delay. Meanwhile, we would like to join the many others in calling for the suspension or lifting of the sanctions against Libya which have had devastating effects not only on the targeted country's innocent civilian population, but also on the region as a whole and even beyond. The Court's ruling supports the argument that the sanctions, which appeared to pre-empt a definitive legal ruling on the case, should not have been imposed in the first instance and there is now no justification for their continuation before the case is heard by the Court.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“Unfortunately, the rejection to date by the United States and the United Kingdom of all proposals from Libya for holding the trial in a place that meets the requirements of neutrality and impartiality has led to the delay in the trial of the two suspects. Regarding international terrorism, the entire world must be united in condemning it. It must not be tolerated. Nigeria is opposed to all forms of international terrorism, especially as it impacts on innocent peoples. It is on record of the Security Council, however, that Libya has taken a firm and unequivocal stand against such acts by whoever perpetrates them. Libya has also pledged full and positive cooperation with regional and international efforts to combat this dreadful crime. We shall hold them to their words and actions.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“My delegation is of the opinion that the Libyan Government has demonstrated sufficient flexibility to meet the demands of the United States and the United Kingdom, with a view to finding a just settlement of this dispute. By so doing, Libya has been supported by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Therefore, my country wishes to appeal to the two members of the Security Council most directly affected to demonstrate commensurate flexibility in order to reach a just and fair settlement of the case under Chapter VI of the Charter. We should not lose sight of the fact that the families of the victims want to see justice done as soon as possible, and we all know that justice delayed is indeed justice denied.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“Today's meeting is taking place in the aftermath of the two landmark Judgments issued by the International Court of Justice on 27 February 1998, in which the Court confirmed its jurisdiction in the Lockerbie case under the 1971 Montreal Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation. In effect, these two Judgments support the argument that the Lockerbie case, being a legal issue, should be deliberated upon by the International Court of Justice. Indeed, it is important to recall that the five members of the Security Council who abstained from voting on Security Council resolution 748 (1992) of 31 March 1992 had advised that the dispute be handled under Chapter VI of the Charter, which provides that disputes of a legal nature should, as a general rule, be referred by parties to the International Court.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“As you are aware, my country is deeply concerned that this dispute has not yet been resolved, thereby prolonging the anguish of the two sets of victims affected by this tragedy: the families of those who lost their lives in the Lockerbie air disaster, on the one hand, and the families of ordinary Libyans who bear the brunt of the sanctions imposed on Libya by the Security Council, on the other. That is why Nigeria seizes every available opportunity to contribute to the process of finding a just solution in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, as well as respect for the sovereignty and integrity of Member States, whether they are big or small, weak or powerful.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“Permit me, at the outset, to join those who have spoken before me to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. Coming from the same subregion of Africa, we are doubly confident that under your able leadership the deliberations of the Council will be conducted in a manner that will ensure justice and will enhance the principles and purposes of the United Nations. I also commend your predecessor for the excellent work he did as President. We also wish to welcome warmly His Excellency Omar Mustafa Muntasser of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. My delegation welcomes the opportunity to participate in today's formal discussions on this very important matter of the long-standing dispute between the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya on the one hand and the United Kingdom and the United States on the other.”
1998-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3864 (1998) · source
“Of course, we in ECOWAS wanted additional and stronger measures included in the text. However, we regard this draft resolution as a positive development and we believe that what is important is that the message of the international resolve to restore constitutional order and peace in Sierra Leone be heard loud and clear by all concerned, especially the junta. In our view, the draft resolution which the Council is about to adopt adequately conveys that unambiguous message.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“Following the adoption of this draft resolution, and in fulfilment of the commitment made by my Foreign Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, when he briefed Council members on 19 September 1997, the ECOWAS Committee on Sierra Leone intends to hold a meeting in Abuja on 9 and 10 October in order, among other things, to map out its strategy for resuming the stalled negotiations. In this regard, we hope that those who have leverage with the Koroma regime will bring it to bear so that its representatives will now come to the negotiating table in good faith and with a new commitment to the peaceful resolution of the crisis. Finally, let me, on behalf of the Chairman of ECOWAS, General Sani Abacha, thank all members of this Council for their constructive approach to the consideration of this draft resolution.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“It also has a mechanism, in the form of its Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), already in place to carry out an effective monitoring and implementation of whatever measures are agreed upon. We therefore welcome the inclusion in paragraph 8 of this draft resolution of an enabling authorization of the Council to ECOMOG to carry out its tasks as mandated by the ECOWAS summit. We reiterate our strong appeal to all members of the international community to assist ECOMOG to carry out those tasks by providing it with logistical assistance and vital information, in addition to ensuring that there are no violations of the measures by any member State or entity.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“First, the situation in Sierra Leone is a clear threat to international peace and security, in view of its potential to destabilize the entire subregion. Secondly, the subregion will want to avoid another costly and long drawn-out engagement, with the attendant massive humanitarian problems and tragedies, similar to what it experienced in Liberia. Thirdly, while ECOWAS is sufficiently seized of the matter, the support and endorsement of the United Nations are needed. Both organizations have learned valuable lessons in Liberia which can be usefully applied to the resolution of this crisis. The message must be made very clear to the junta in Sierra Leone that it is completely isolated and its future is bleak. As the draft resolution acknowledges, ECOWAS is the body closest to the situation on the ground.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“Although the ECOWAS Committee on Sierra Leone responded to further and often confused feelers from the other side to resume negotiations, those efforts are yet to materialize because of the continuing intransigence on the part of the junta. It is clear that the welfare of the people of Sierra Leone has no place in the mind of the junta. Faced with this situation, ECOWAS was left with no option but to adopt a set of measures in the form of sanctions and embargo as a means of pressuring the regime in Freetown to appreciate the futility of its situation and agree to re-engage ECOWAS in a constructive dialogue which would ensure the early reinstatement of the legitimate Government of President Kabbah. The decisions and actions taken by ECOWAS to resolve the Sierra Leonean crisis are guided by the following main considerations.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“We note with satisfaction that this position has not changed, and we urge earnestly that this principled position taken by the Security Council remain unchanged. The initial round of talks between ECOWAS and the junta aimed at a peaceful resolution of the crisis was both encouraging and fruitful. However, the negotiations fell through during the next round due to deliberate stalling and acts of bad faith on the part of the junta, whose representatives reneged on the commitment which they had made earlier. Worse still, the regime announced its intention to remain in power for four years. The situation in Sierra Leone, which was bad enough at the inception of the coup d'etat, has since then deteriorated considerably. Members of the Council are by now well aware of the scorched-earth policy pursued by the junta in Sierra Leone.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“It is a great honour to be invited to address the Security Council and a great pleasure to be here once again among friends. Today we reach another important milestone in the fruitful cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the efforts to resolve crisis situations in our subregion. Since the outbreak of the current crisis in Sierra Leone following the violent overthrow of the Government of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah on 25 May 1997, by a sector of the military in that country, the international community has been unanimous in its condemnation of the coup d'etat. The United Nations, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and ECOWAS have all demanded that the junta step down so that the democratically elected Government in Sierra Leone can be restored without delay.”
1997-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3822 (1997) · source
“III, while my delegation does not usually favour short periods of renewal for ongoing United Nations undertakings, in this instance we see some merit in the recommendation of the Secretary-General for a two-month renewal so as to keep the pressure on the parties, in particular UNITA.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“However, failure on its part to respond accordingly would lead my delegation to support the new additional measures that have been proposed by SADC, including the strict compliance with and implementation by Member States of the measures contained in section B of resolution 864 (1993). We remain hopeful, however, that UNITA and Mr. Savimbi will make the imposition of those measures unnecessary by implementing, in good faith and without further delay, all their commitments under the various peace agreements. The international community demands this of Mr. Savimbi. The people of Angola, and indeed all of Africa, desperately hope for such a positive response. Concerning the renewal of the mandate of UNAVEM.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“Savimbi to take steps, as a matter of urgency, to bring up to date UNITA's implementation of the key military and political issues, including UNITA's contributions to the formation of a new FAA, the inclusion of UNITA generals in the armed forces high command, the return of UNITA deputies to Lusaka and the acceptance of a position within the Angolan Government. It is also important for there to be another meeting between President Dos Santos and Mr. Savimbi as soon as possible. We have listened to the briefing of the SADC Foreign Ministers, and while we believe that further pressure should be brought to bear on UNITA to deliver on its commitments, we would want a little more time to be given to enable the UNITA leadership to restore our faith in its expressed desire for peace.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“Savimbi from that meeting, and regret the opportunity that was missed for a face-to-face dialogue with President Dos Santos. We therefore call on UNITA to respond positively and promptly to all the appeals that have been made to it by well-meaning African and other world leaders. We equally call on those with leverage with the Angolan parties and bearing special responsibility for the events in Angola to bring their weight to bear in favour of full cooperation with the peace process by both parties, particularly UNITA. In this regard, we note with special delight the continued declared commitment of UNITA to the peace process and the Lusaka Protocol. My Government therefore urges Mr.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“III), procrastinating on the incorporation of UNITA troops into the unified Angolan Armed Forces, obstructing the extension of State administration throughout the country, and restricting UNAVEM. III activities, including demining operations. Faced with this situation and in keeping with the increasing involvement of regional and subregional organizations in the resolution of conflicts in their respective areas, we note with satisfaction the outcome of the recent meeting of the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, held on 2 October, which considered the critical situation in Angola, particularly ways of energizing and reinvigorating the peace process. We share the disappointment of the Secretary-General over the absence of Mr.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“There have been four important face-to-face talks between President Dos Santos and Mr. Savimbi, in addition to a series of high-level contacts and interactions between the civilian and military officials of both sides. These are no mean achievements considering where we were in 1992 and 1993. Unfortunately, the peace process is well behind schedule; the continuing stalemate is very worrisome. While the Government of Angola has continued to bend over backwards to fulfil its side of the bargain and accommodate the concerns of UNITA, we note with grave concern the continuing delays by UNITA in fulfilling its obligations in line with the Lusaka Protocol, inter alia by failing to hand over heavy weapons to United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“The international community has also expended considerable resources and continues to do so, and thus can legitimately insist that nothing should be allowed to jeopardize the commendable and considerable gains that have been made in the peace process. We have undoubtedly witnessed many positive developments and tremendous progress in the peace process, in spite of the grudging compliance with the provisions of the Lusaka Protocol, usually after protracted delays and last-minute concessions. For example, the ceasefire has generally been holding, and the process of quartering UN ITA troops has been largely accomplished. So too is the quartering of the rapid reaction police of the Government of Angola, the promulgation of the amnesty law, the demining of roads and the expansion of humanitarian assistance coverage.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“The string of breaches and violations have accumulated to a point where the Secretary-General, in his latest report, observed that UNITA must now decide whether it will implement in good faith all its commitments under the peace agreements. This observation, although in the characteristically restrained Secretariat tone, raises serious concerns for my delegation, including grave doubts about whether the UNITA leadership genuinely intends to help remove the last blight of conflict from that part of Africa. The people of Angola and the entire southern African region expect and earnestly hope for peace, and rightly so.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“And we have devoted a lot of political efforts and financial resources, including the deployment of the largest United Nations peacekeeping operation today, towards the full implementation and realization of the provisions of the Protocol. Regrettably, however, the Angolan peace process is being implemented in fits and starts, largely due to the continued intransigence of UNITA. The latest report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Angola, for which we are grateful, contains a catalogue of broken promises, half-hearted implementation and non- compliance, mostly if not entirely by UNITA, of the obligations assumed under the peace accords, particularly the Lusaka Protocol.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“The cold war ended over five years ago, and the peace dividends have reached southern African countries such as, Namibia, Mozambique and South Africa. Sadly this is taking a very long time to occur in Angola. In recent years, the relatively positive developments in Angola, along with the active support and participation of the international community, particularly the United Nations, the troika of observer States, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and neighbouring States, have produced the framework for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. The Lusaka Protocol of 4 November 1994, a product of painstaking and arduous negotiations, provides the basis for a peaceful settlement of the crisis.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“The civil war in Angola has gone on for too long, at enormous cost to the country. The fratricidal conflict has caused thousands of deaths and resulted in considerable material damage that has sapped the fragile economy and diverted energy from economic and social development. We have had a generation of Angolans who have known nothing but war, starting from the struggle for independence. Angola, a country that is well endowed with human and natural resources, has never had the peace and stability necessary to develop its vast potentials for the fulfilment of the socio-economic aspirations of its people. Instead of having one of the greatest economies of Africa, Angola is today one of the least developed countries in the world. It was unfortunate that the cold war exacerbated and for so long prevented a resolution of this conflict.”
1996-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3702 (1996) · source
“We in the region, and I am speaking specifically for my Government, are prepared to continue to play our part until peace returns to Liberia and to our subregion.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“Furthermore, those countries which pay lip service to peace in Liberia, but from which deadly arms continue to flow to the warring factions in that country, should now live up to their obligations to Security Council resolution 985 (1995) and strictly observe the arms embargo imposed on Liberia. In conclusion, let me say that my delegation is encouraged by the constructive attitude and posture of many delegations which have spoken today. The clear message we have retained is that no one is talking of abandoning Liberia. The commitment to the people of Liberia - and to the subregion as a whole - is welcome and very much appreciated. We are also confident that the Security Council will renew the mandate of UNOMIL along the lines of the Secretary-General's recommendation for another three months.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“This is not to say that ECOMOG'S structure and organization cannot be improved upon. But there is a slant to the notion of restructuring ECOMOG which my delegation finds worrisome and perhaps misplaced. The proper objective should be to put in place a credible force able to carry out its difficult but essential mandate. In the circumstances, my delegation welcomes all well- meaning efforts to help equip and fortify ECOMOG in order to enhance its capability to carry out its assignment. And as the ECOWAS Foreign Ministers stressed at their 7 May meeting, any financial contributions for ECOMOG should be directed to the force as a whole and not to particular contingents. We cannot play "divide and rule" and yet pretend to seek an integral solution to the Liberian problem.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“They deserve praise and gratitude, rather than criticism, from the international community. My own country, Nigeria, has spent billions of dollars, while hundreds of our soldiers have paid the supreme sacrifice and thousands of others have been wounded, all for the cause of peace in Liberia. Furthermore, some observers have wondered why ECOMOG did not take immediate action to quell the recent fighting in Liberia, as it had done in the past, particularly during a coup attempt in September 1994. We know the reason why, and the Secretary-General clearly noted the reason in his report. Put simply, the resources necessary to sustain a credible and robust force capable of deterring such fighting over a long period were not available to the countries of the subregion.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“While we should not condone any misconduct on their part, the international community should not too easily forget why ECOMOG became necessary in the first place. May I remind the Council that in 1990, at the time of the Gulf crisis, the carnage in Liberia never got onto the international agenda and did not enjoy any serious coverage in the international media because of the more visible and ongoing "Operation Desert Shield". This was, of course, due to the strategic interest involved in that war. In the circumstances, when no other country was willing to lend a hand to stop the carnage and prevent the drift into anarchy in Liberia, the leaders of West Africa, in a bold and imaginative step, did what they thought best, not minding the costs to their respective countries.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“The Foreign Ministers also warned the faction leaders that if they did not implement those steps ECOMOG would reconsider its involvement in Liberia at the August ECOWAS meeting. My country, along with other troop contributors to ECOMOG, will seriously consider our option at that time. We hope that the Liberian parties will demonstrate their desire for peace, which they have so far failed to do, miserably; otherwise, the spectre of Somalia, which the Secretary-General referred to, is a frightening possibility. It is important to state that ECOMOG is part of the solution, and not part of the problem, in Liberia. It is therefore unfortunate to observe continuous sniping about its activities. Sometimes veiled - and sometimes not too veiled - criticisms are levelled in some quarters against the conduct of its troops.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“It could equally be said however, that if the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) had perhaps been provided with the requisite resources and support the dangerous lull that occurred between the cease-fire following the Abuja Agreement and the start-up phase of disarmament and demobilization could have been avoided. Clearly, the initial momentum towards peace generated by the Abuja Agreement was lost and allowed to fizzle out. During their meeting in Accra on 7 May 1996 the ECOWAS Foreign Ministers approved a sweeping plan aimed at helping to return Liberia to the Abuja Agreement by outlining measures to demilitarize Monrovia and to restore the cease-fire, as well as the fractured Liberian Transitional Government.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source
“Most of the gains, albeit tentative, that were registered in the peace process in Liberia - including the improved humanitarian situation and the prospects for the voluntary return of refugees - have suffered serious reverses as a result of the recent outbreak of fighting in the country. The factional leaders are to blame for the fighting, which was a breach of the obligations which they freely entered into under the Abuja Agreement. In this respect my delegation agrees with the observation of the Secretary-General that the faction leaders have clearly demonstrated their total disregard for the welfare, peace and aspirations of the Liberian people.”
1996-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3667 (1996) · source